RECAP: Rams fall to Huskies

Brandon Eads drives it to the basket during Friday night’s loss to Ashe County.

Ryan DeCosta | The Tribune

BOONVILLE — Friday night’s games did not have the endings for which the Starmount boys or girls basketball teams had hoped.

GIRLS: Ashe County 39 – Starmount 28

Despite leading at halftime, Starmount could not close out the game Friday night, falling to the Huskies 39-28. Early on, the Rams were getting good looks at the basket. However, once Ashe County took a 25-23 lead to end the third, they made shots when it counted the most.

One of Starmount’s detriments of the night was its rebounding. In comparison to past weeks, it looked like it had improved, but it was not enough to create second chances and take Ashe County’s chances away.

However, their biggest detriment of the night was their free throws. In the second half, Ashe County hit 12 free throws compared to the two by the Rams. One missed free throw came on a one-and-one which could have tied the game. Ashe County responded by scoring a bucket and the foul after snagging the rebound.

“They were more aggressive tonight than we were. I tell my kids all the time that this game is played one of two ways; you either take it to them or they take it to you, and I just felt like they took it to us tonight,” said Rams Head Coach Jeffrey Hague.

BOYS: Ashe County 64 – Starmount 55

Despite cutting it close near the end, Friday night’s game at Starmount belonged to Ashe County 64-55.

Much like free throws were the killer for the girls team, they gave Starmount life but quickly took it away. Starmount was down 41-29 midway through the third when Ashe got into foul trouble. The Rams came out more aggressive and closed the game to within two at the end of the third quarter. They continued their assault and had a one-and-one to tie it and possibly take the lead. However, it didn’t fall as Ashe came down the court to score, and the Rams would have to find another spark.

Ethan Barnes provided that with a shot and the foul to bring the team to within two. After Ashe County traveled, giving Starmount the ball back with the chance to tie or take the lead with 3 minutes remaining, an intentional foul was called on Brandon Prescott, killing a large chunk of the teams momentum. Starmount then got into foul trouble, and to make matters worse, Ashe made 19-21 free throws in the second half.

Both the boys and girls will travel to North Surry to play North Forsyth Tuesday morning as part of the North Surry Christmas Tournament.

Ryan DeCosta can be reached at 336-258-4052 or via Twitter @rsdecosta.

Brandon Eads drives it to the basket during Friday night’s loss to Ashe County.

http://www.yadkinripple.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/web1_DSC_0413.jpgBrandon Eads drives it to the basket during Friday night’s loss to Ashe County. Ryan DeCosta | The Tribune